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You searched “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)”. Your tag search matches the following results:

Deglaciation and Threats

Deglaciation Glaciers, ice caps and continental ice sheets cover some 10% of the earth’s land surface at the present time, whereas during...

22 Feb 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Chamoli Flash Floods

This article is based on “Rethinking run-of-the-river hydro projects” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 11/02/2021. It...

11 Feb 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Background The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was born out of India’s attempt to realise the objectives enshrined in the United Nations...

28 Dec 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
NGT Panel for Protection of Mahanadi Floodplain

Why in News Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has constituted a high level committee to identify floodplain zones of the...

21 Dec 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Extreme Climate Events: CEEW

Why in News According to a recent study on the report “Preparing India for Extreme Climate Events” released by the Council on Energy,...

12 Dec 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Recovery from Coal Mining in Meghalaya’s Moolamylliang

Why in News Moolamylliang, a village in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, is making progress in becoming a greener place amid abandoned...

07 Dec 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Anakkayam Small Hydro Electric Project

Why in News Recently, various green collectives and environmental organisations have come together to protest against the Anakkayam Small Hydro...

18 Nov 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Seagrass

Why in News Recently, the restoration process of seagrasses has been taken up by Tamil Nadu in the Gulf of Mannar. Key...

24 Oct 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Environmental Clearance to Kaleshwaram Project Invalid

Why in News Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has declared that the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the Kaleshwaram Lift...

21 Oct 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Delhi Air Pollution

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has highlighted that the air pollution is not a problem of Delhi...

19 Oct 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Anti-pollution Campaign: Delhi

Why in News The Delhi Government has recently launched a major anti-pollution campaign, Yuddh Pradushan Ke Viruddh, which includes a tree...

13 Oct 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Lepidoptera Species and Climate Change

Why in News According to a recent study, rising average temperatures in the Himalayan region have driven several dozen species of butterfly and moth...

12 Oct 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
UN Special Rapporteurs on EIA 2020

Why in News Recently, a group of Special Rapporteurs to the United Nations (UN) has written to the Indian government expressing concerns over the...

04 Sep 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Oil Spill in Mauritius

Why in News A japanese bulk-carrier ship MV Wakashio which was carrying fuel oil has split into two parts near Blue Bay Marine Park in south-east...

17 Aug 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Agatti Island of Lakshadweep

Why in News Recently, the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has granted an interim stay on felling of coconut trees on Agatti...

03 Aug 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Concerns Over Drilling in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Why in News The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Oil India...

23 Jul 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Indian Railways to Use More Renewable Energy

Why in News The Indian Railways has decided to be self-reliant for its energy needs by utilizing its vacant lands for Renewable Energy (RE)...

07 Jul 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Pollinator Week

Why in News Pollinator Week is celebrated from 22nd June to 28th June every year. It was initiated by the non-profit Pollinator Partnership and...

26 Jun 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Athirapally Hydel Electric Project

Why in News Recently, the Kerala government has approved the proposed Athirapally Hydro Electric Project (AHEP) on the Chalakudy river in Thrissur...

11 Jun 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Assam Gas Leak

Why in News Recently, a gas leak has occurred at Baghjan well in Tinsukia district of Assam following a blowout. The Baghjan well is a purely...

09 Jun 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

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		'description' => '<h3>Deglaciation </h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Glaciers, ice caps and continental ice sheets <strong>cover some 10% of the earth&rsquo;s land surface</strong> at the present time, whereas during the ice ages, they covered about three times this amount <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The present ice cover corresponds to about three-quarter of the world&rsquo;s total freshwater resources. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The gradual melting away of a glacier from the surface of a landmass is known as <strong>Deglaciation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The processes that remove snow, ice, and moraine from a glacier or ice sheet are called <strong>Ablation.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It includes melting, evaporation, erosion, and calving.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The process of deglaciation, that intensified in the 20th century, is leaving our planet iceless. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Causes of Deglaciation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global warming:</strong> The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced by <strong>industry, transport, deforestation and burning fossil fuels,</strong> amongst other human activities, <strong>warm the planet and cause glaciers to melt.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ocean warming:</strong> Oceans absorb 90% of the Earth's warmth, and this affects the melting of marine glaciers, which are mostly located near the poles.</li>
<li><strong>Rapid industrialisation:</strong> Since the early 1900s, many glaciers around the world have been rapidly melting, <strong>specifically, since the industrial revolution,</strong> carbon dioxide and other<strong> greenhouse gas emissions have raised temperatures,</strong> even <strong>higher in the poles,</strong> and as a result, glaciers are rapidly melting, calving off into the sea and retreating on land.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Impacts of Deglaciation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Raised sea level:</strong> The melting glaciers have played the major role in<strong> raising average global sea level between four and eight inches</strong> (10 and 20 centimeters) in the past hundred years, according to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rising sea levels increase coastal erosion and elevates storm surge as warming air and ocean temperatures create more frequent and intense coastal storms like hurricanes and typhoons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On mountain glaciers:</strong> The famed snows of <strong>Kilimanjaro</strong> have melted more than 80% since 1912. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Glaciers in the Garhwal region</strong> of the Himalayas are retreating so fast that researchers believe that most central and eastern Himalayan glaciers could virtually disappear by 2035. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>In the Northern Hemisphere:</strong> Spring freshwater ice breakup in the Northern Hemisphere now<strong> occurs nine days earlier</strong> than it did 150 years ago, and <strong>autumn freeze-up ten days later. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Arctic sea</strong> ice has thinned significantly over the past half century, and its extent has declined by about 10% in the past 30 years. </li>
<li>The <strong>Greenland</strong> ice sheet is disappearing four times faster than in 2003 and already contributes 20% of current sea level rise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Melting of Thwaites Glacier:</strong> Also called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/melting-of-thwaites-glacier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doomsday Glacier</strong></a>, it is a 120 km wide, fast-moving glacier located in <strong>Antarctica.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Because of its size (1.9 lakh square km), it contains enough water to raise the world sea level by more than half a metre.</li>
<li>Studies have detected the <strong>presence of warm water</strong> at a vital point beneath the Thwaites glacier as the cause of its melting.</li>
<li>Its <strong>melting already contributes 4% to global sea-level rise each year.</strong> It is estimated that it would collapse into the sea in 200-900 years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Studies have found the amount of ice flowing out of it has nearly doubled over the past 30 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disappearance of species:</strong> Glaciers are the natural habitat of a number of animals, both terrestrial and aquatic, if the melting continues at the same rate, a number of species will become extinct.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will also disturb the balance of the food chain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613974001_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613974001_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>The Himalayan Glaciers</h3>
<p><strong>About</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Himalayan glaciers form the largest body of ice outside the polar caps and are the source of water for the innumerable rivers that flow across the Indo-Gangetic plains. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Himalayan glaciers are also known as the Third Pole. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Himalayan glacial snowfields store about 12,000 km3 of freshwater. </li>
<li>15,000 Himalayan glaciers form a unique reservoir which supports perennial rivers such as the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra which, in turn, are the lifeline of millions of people in South Asian countries (Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh). </li>
<li>The Gangetic basin alone is home to 500 million people, about 10% of the total human population in the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The Receding Glaciers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rate of receding:</strong> Glaciers in the Himalaya are receding faster than in any other part of the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The glaciers have been losing the equivalent of more than a vertical foot and half of ice each year since 2000; double the amount of melting that took place from 1975 to 2000.</li>
<li>According to the statistics in the last 25 years approximate 400 crore tons of ice being melted in the Himalayan glaciers.</li>
<li>The 30.2 km long <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/concentration-of-black-carbon-on-gangotri-glacier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gangotri Glacier</strong> </a>has been receding alarmingly in recent years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cause of receding:</strong> The receding and thinning of Himalayan glaciers can be attributed primarily to global warming due to increase in anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The relatively high population density near these glaciers and consequent deforestation and land-use changes have also adversely affected these glaciers. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect on the Hindukush region:</strong> Climate change has hastened glacial melting across the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hindu-kush-himalayan-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region</strong></a>, home to some of the world&rsquo;s tallest peaks, including Mount Everest.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttarakhand-flash-flood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>glacier collapse at Nanda Devi</strong></a> in Uttarakhand&rsquo;s Chamoli district led to a massive flood in the Dhauli Ganga river and caused large-scale devastation in the upper reaches of the ecologically fragile Himalayas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Air warming over HKH:</strong> Air over HKH warmed at a rate of 0.2℃ each decade from 1951 to 2014 and at an even higher rate of 0.5℃ per decade at elevations higher than 4,000 meters, as per a report prepared by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The report projected that even with the Indian government&rsquo;s commitment to mitigate greenhouse gases by 2030, the Indian Himalayas could warm by 2.6℃&ndash;4.6℃ by 2100. </li>
<li>In the worst-case scenario, the mean surface temperature over the whole region could rise by 5.2℃ by 2100.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613973937_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613973937_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Chamoli Flash Floods',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/rethinking-run-of-the-river-hydro-projects-101612965305568.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Rethinking run-of-the-river hydro projects&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 11/02/2021. It talks about the increasing frequency of flash floods in the Himalayan region.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttarakhand-flash-flood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>glacial burst in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand</strong></a> is an eye-opener to the ongoing disruption of the ecological balance. A similar flash flood caused by a glacial lake burst ravaged the Kedarnath Shrine at the peak of the pilgrimage season in 2013.</p>
<p>It is very rare that, anywhere in the world, two such big disasters in a region take place in a short duration of less than a decade. There is enough data to suggest that climate change is responsible for the increasing number of severe flash floods due to glacial melt.</p>
<p>However, apart from climate change, the sudden spurt of environmentally-unfriendly development activities is responsible for the frequent occurrence of the disaster due to flash floods.</p>
<h3>Climate Crisis Aggravating Flash Floods</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A new report by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) held that 36% of the volume of glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region will be gone by the end of 2100 even if the world manages to keep the temperature rise within 1.5 degree Celsius target of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate Agreement.</strong></a></li>
<li>Similarly, the data from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong></a> reveal that the melting of the glaciers has increased in the first 20 years of this century.</li>
<li>The faster melting of Ganga glaciers will impact the livelihood of close to 600 million people living in the Ganga river basin, extending from Uttarakhand in the north to Bangladesh in the south.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Flash Floods: A Man-Made Disaster</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Himalayas, a Volatile Mountain System:</strong> The Himalayas are a young and therefore volatile mountain system. Even a minor change in the orientation of its rocks can trigger landslides. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite this, high-intensity stone quarrying, frequent blasting of mountains, and digging of tunnels through the base of the fragile mountain system for the back-to-back under-construction dams are going in the Himalayan region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Overlooking Environmental Norms:</strong> Moreover, little attention has been paid to the damage caused to local ecology and loss of forest cover in the upper reaches of the central Himalayas by building hydel dams and construction of wider roads overlooking environmental norms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The upper reaches of Uttarakhand, the source for several small riverine systems feeding the Ganga, already have 16 dams and another 13 under construction.</li>
<li>The state government has proposed another 54 dams to harness the hydel energy potential of these rivers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydropower, not Entirely Green Projects:</strong> Hydropower is a low-emission energy source, but by design, these projects are not environmentally suitable.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is because the river water is diverted for power generation, and this destroys the riverine ecology.</li>
<li>The blasting and tunneling that happens while building a dam dry up mountain springs, which provide water for drinking and agriculture.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Run of the River (ROR) projects are seen as a &ldquo;green&rdquo; alternative to high-dam hydropower projects such as the Tehri Hydropower Project.</li>
<li>This is because an ROR dam diverts the river flow in a controlled environment to generate electricity and sends the water back to the river, whereas a high-dam project stores river water in a reservoir.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Broad Framework For Vulnerable Zones:</strong> With the increasing frequency of flash floods in the Himalayan region, a broad framework for robust early warning systems, infrastructure development, construction, and excavation in vulnerable zones must be evolved.</li>
<li><strong>Reexamining HydroPower Option:</strong> IPCC report has assessed that the climate crisis has altered the frequency and magnitude of the natural hazards in high mountain regions of the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, there is a need for adherence to the Chopra Committee recommendations, which studied the impact of receding glaciers on hydroelectric power projects (HEPs) and objected to the construction of HEPs in paraglacial regions (between 2,200 to 2,500 meters above the sea level).</li>
<li>Therefore, the hydropower projects must be weighed against their benefits and challenges.</li>
<li>Apart from this, other alternatives like solar energy, wind energy should be pursued as the green growth model of development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adhering to NDMA Guidelines:</strong> The NDMA guidelines say that the construction of any habitation should be prohibited in the high hazard zone.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Restricting constructions and development in glacial lake outburst flood-prone areas is a very efficient means to reduce risks at no cost.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Research on Glacial Lakes:</strong> Detailed Project Analysis should be conducted to understand which of the 12,000-odd glacial lakes in Uttarakhand are prone to flooding. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such research should feed into environmental impact assessment reports and guide decisions on developmental projects in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The exact cause of the recent Chamoli glacial lake outburst disaster will unfold in the coming times, but there is no doubt that the impact would have been far less with more prudent development of projects in the region. Policymakers should realize that damaging today and repairing tomorrow is not an option in the Himalayan region.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f6fff2;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the context of increasing flash floods in the Himalayan region, there is a need for reexamining the ways in which mountains and high-altitude regions have been positioned in the country&rsquo;s development discourse. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mrEJUPwF1pI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/cutting-trans-fat-the-hindu-editorial-on-healthier-food/article33795606.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Cutting trans fat: On healthier food&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Hindu on February 10<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7314,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Biological Diversity Act, 2002',
		'description' => '<h3>Background</h3>
<p>The <strong>Biological Diversity Act, 2002</strong> was born out of India&rsquo;s attempt to realise the objectives enshrined in the <strong>United Nations <a href="/pdf/sixth-national-report-to-the-convention-of-biological-diversity.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)</a> 1992</strong> which recognizes the sovereign rights of states to use their own Biological Resources.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Biodiversity:</strong> The biodiversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources and the ecological complexes of which they are part and includes diversity within species or between species and of ecosystems</li>
<li><strong>Biological Resources:</strong> The biological resources means plants, animals and micro-organisms or parts thereof, their genetic material and by-products (excluding value added products) with actual or potential use or value, but does not include human genetic material.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The Biological Diversity Act, 2002</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The act was enacted in 2002, it <strong>aims at the conservation of biological resources</strong>, managing its <strong>sustainable use </strong>and<strong> enabling fair and equitable sharing benefits</strong> arising out of the use and knowledge of biological resources with the local communities.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Salient Features of the Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act prohibits the following activities without the prior approval from the <strong>National Biodiversity Authority:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any person or organisation (either based in India or not) obtaining any biological resource occurring in India for its research or commercial utilisation.</li>
<li>The transfer of the results of any research relating to any biological resources occurring in, or obtained from, India.</li>
<li>The claim of any intellectual property rights on any invention based on the research made on the biological resources obtained from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The act envisaged a three-tier structure to regulate the access to biological resources:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The National Biodiversity Authority</strong> (NBA)</li>
<li><strong>The State Biodiversity Boards</strong> (SBBs)</li>
<li><strong>The Biodiversity Management Committees</strong> (BMCs) (at local level)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Act provides these authorities with special funds and a separate budget in order to carry out any research project dealing with the biological natural resources of the country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It shall supervise any use of biological resources and the sustainable use of them and shall take control over the financial investments and their return and dispose of those capitals as correct.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under this act, the Central Government in consultation with the NBA:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shall notify <strong>threatened species</strong> and prohibit or regulate their collection, rehabilitation and conservation</li>
<li>Designate institutions as repositories for different categories of biological resources</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The act stipulates all offences under it as <strong>cognizable and non-bailable.</strong></li>
<li>Any grievances related to the determination of benefit sharing or order of the National Biodiversity Authority or a State Biodiversity Board under this Act, shall be taken to the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Green Tribunal (NGT)</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The other laws that NGT deals with, include:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,</li>
<li>The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977,</li>
<li>The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980,</li>
<li>The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,</li>
<li>The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,</li>
<li>The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Exemptions from the Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act excludes<strong> Indian biological resources</strong> that are <strong>normally traded as commodities.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such exemption holds only so far the biological resources are used as commodities<strong> and for no other purpose.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The act also excludes <strong>traditional uses</strong> of Indian biological resources and associated knowledge and when they are used in<strong> collaborative research projects between Indian and foreign institutions</strong> with the approval of the central government.</li>
<li><strong>Uses by cultivators and breeds,</strong> e.g. farmers, livestock keepers and bee keepers and traditional healers e.g.vaids and hakims are also exempted.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The National Biodiversity Authority</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)</strong> was established in <strong>2003</strong> by the Central Government to implement India&rsquo;s Biological Diversity Act (2002).</li>
<li>It is a<strong> Statutory body</strong> that performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions for the Government of India on the issue of Conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.</li>
<li>The NBA has its <strong>Headquarters in Chennai,</strong> Tamil Nadu, India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Structure of the NBA</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Biodiversity Authority consists of the following members to be appointed by the central government, namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A Chairperson.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Three ex officio members,</strong> one representing the Ministry dealing with Tribal Affairs and two representing the Ministry dealing with Environment and Forests.</li>
<li><strong>Seven ex-officio members</strong> to represent respectively the Ministries of the Central Government dealing with:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Agricultural Research and Education</li>
<li>Biotechnology</li>
<li>Ocean Development</li>
<li>Agriculture and Cooperation</li>
<li>Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy</li>
<li>Science and Technology</li>
<li>Scientific and Industrial Research;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Five non-official members</strong> to be appointed from amongst specialists and scientists having special knowledge and experience in the required matters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Functions of the NBA</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Creating an enabling environment, as appropriate, to promote conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.</li>
<li><strong>Advising the central government, regulating activities</strong> and<strong> issuing guidelines</strong> for access to biological resources and for fair and equitable benefit sharing in accordance with the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.</li>
<li>Taking necessary <strong>measures to oppose the grant of intellectual property rights</strong> in any country outside India on any biological resource obtained from India or knowledge associated with such biological resources derived from India illegally.</li>
<li><strong>Advising the State Governments</strong> in the selection of areas of biodiversity importance to be notified as heritage sites and suggest measures for their management.</li>
</ul>
<h3>State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The SBBs</strong> are established by the State Governments in accordance with <strong>Section 22</strong> of the Act.</li>
<li><strong>Structure:</strong> The State Biodiversity Board consists of the following members:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>A Chairperson</strong></li>
<li>Not more than <strong>five ex officio members</strong> to represent the concerned Departments of the State Government</li>
<li>Not more than<strong> five members from amongst experts</strong> in matters relating to conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of biological resources and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.</li>
<li><strong>All the members of the SBB are appointed by the respective State Governments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Functions of SBBs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advise the State Government,</strong> subject to any guidelines issued by the Central Government, on matters relating to the conservation, sustainable use or sharing equitable benefits.</li>
<li><strong>Regulate by granting approvals</strong> or otherwise requests for <strong>commercial utilisation or bio-survey and bio-utilisation</strong> of any biological resource by people.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Note:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are no State Biodiversity Boards constituted for Union territories.</li>
<li>The National Biodiversity Authority exercises the powers and performs the functions of a State Biodiversity Board for the UTs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to<strong> Section 41 of the Act,</strong> every local body shall constitute the BMC within its area for the purpose of promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Preservation of habitats</li>
<li>Conservation of Landraces</li>
<li>Folk varieties and cultivars</li>
<li>Domesticated stocks And breeds of animals</li>
<li>Microorganisms And Chronicling Of Knowledge Relating To Biological Diversity</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Structure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It shall consist of<strong> a chair person</strong> and <strong>not more than six persons</strong> nominated by the local body.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Out of total members of a BMC, <strong>not less than one third should be women</strong> and not less than <strong>18% should belong to the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Chairperson of the Biodiversity Management Committee shall be elected from amongst the members of the committee in a meeting to be chaired by the Chairperson of the local body.</li>
<li>The chairperson of the local body shall have the casting votes in case of a tie.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Functions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main function of the BMC is to prepare <strong>People&rsquo;s Biodiversity Register</strong> in consultation with the local people.</li>
<li>The register shall contain comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medicinal or any other use or any other.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>People&rsquo;s Biodiversity Registers (PBR):</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The PBRs focus on <strong>participatory documentation of local biodiversity,</strong> traditional knowledge and practices.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The register shall contain comprehensive information on the <strong>availability and knowledge of local biological resources,</strong> their medicinal or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are seen as <strong>key legal documents</strong> in ascertaining the rights of local people over the biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002</strong> the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify the areas of biodiversity importance as <strong>Biodiversity Heritage Sites.</strong></li>
<li>The Biodiversity Heritage Sites are the well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems - <strong>terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine</strong> having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories</li>
<li>high endemism</li>
<li>presence of rare and threatened species</li>
<li>keystone species</li>
<li>species of evolutionary significance</li>
<li>wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties</li>
<li>past preeminence of biological components represented by fossil beds</li>
<li>having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values; important for the maintenance of cultural diversity (with or without a long history of human association with them)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Areas having any of the following characteristics may qualify for inclusion as BHS.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 304px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #151d47; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)</strong></span></td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #151d47; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>District/State</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Nallur Tamarind Grove</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Bangalore, Karnataka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Hogrekan</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Chikmagalur, Karnataka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Karnataka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Ambaraguda</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Karnataka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Glory of Allapalli</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Maharashtra</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Tonglu BHS and Dhotrey BHS under the Darjeeling Forest Division</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Darjeeling, West Bengal</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Mandasaru</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Odisha</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Dialong Village</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Manipur</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Ameenpur lake</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Telangana</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Majuli</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Assam</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Gharial Rehabilitation Centre</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Chilkigarh Kanak Durga</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">West Bengal</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Purvatali Rai</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Goa</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Naro Hills</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Madhya Pradesh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 60.2848%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Asramam</td>
<td style="width: 39.7152%; height: 19px; background-color: #f2f4ff; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">Kerala</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
		'posturl' => 'biological-diversity-act-2002',
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	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7258,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'NGT Panel for Protection of Mahanadi Floodplain',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> has constituted a high level committee to identify <strong>floodplain zones of the Mahanadi.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mahanadi</strong> is Odisha&rsquo;s <strong>largest river.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>January 2020</strong> Chief Minister of Odisha had announced that the<strong> 424 acres</strong> reclaimed from the river Mahanadi would be utilised to add <strong>ecological, recreational, sporting, cultural and technological value in the lives of the people of Cuttack.</strong></li>
<li>A local citizen approached the <strong>NGT</strong> against the state government's plan alleging that illegal construction activities will adversely <strong>affect the river ecology and disturb the flow of Mahanadi river.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NGT&rsquo;s Order:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The NGT has formed a<strong> panel of experts</strong> from the <strong><a href="/daily-news-analysis/central-water-commission-on-kerala-floods" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Water Commission</a>, National Institute of Hydrology </strong>and <strong>state and central pollution control board</strong> for laying down norms to ensure that the riverfront development takes place without <strong>damage to the floodplains</strong> of the river.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Legislation to Regulate the Flood Plains:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is<strong> no central legislation</strong> to regulate the flood plains, except a <strong>2016 notification</strong> issued by the <strong>Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation,</strong> with respect to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ganga-utsav-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ganga river</strong></a>, under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1#:~:text=On%2027%20January%201994%2C%20the,Schedule%201%20of%20the%20notification." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986</strong></a>, prohibiting any construction in the active floodplain area of <strong>river Ganga or its tributaries.</strong></li>
<li>However some states have laws to regulate the flood plains :<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Manipur Flood Zoning Act, 1978</strong></li>
<li><strong>Uttarakhand Flood Plain Zoning Act, 2012</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Floodplains</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608542319_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608542319_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Floodplain is an <strong>area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river,</strong> formed mainly by <strong>flooding of rivers and deposition of sand sediments</strong> on the riverbanks.</li>
<li>These sandy floodplains are <strong>exceptional aquifers</strong> where any withdrawal is compensated by gravity flow from a large surrounding area.</li>
<li>Some floodplains such as those of Himalayan Rivers contain up to <strong>20 times more water than the virgin flow in rivers in a year.</strong></li>
<li>Since<strong> recharge is by rainfall and during late floods, the water quality is good.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mahanadi River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Mahanadi River system is the<strong> third largest of peninsular India after Godavari and Krishna,</strong> and the <strong>largest river of Odisha state.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Source of origin of the Mahanadi river:</strong> It rises from a place near Sihawa in Bastar hills in the state of Chhattisgarh to the south of Amarkantak.</li>
<li><strong>Major Tributaries of the Mahanadi river</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seonath River</li>
<li>Hasdeo River</li>
<li>Mand River</li>
<li>Ib River</li>
<li>Jonking River</li>
<li>Tel River</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>The Basin of the Mahanadi river:</strong></li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The catchment area of the river extends to&nbsp;<strong>Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.</strong></li>
<li>Its basin is bounded by the <strong>Central India hills on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and east and by the Maikala range on the west.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'posturl' => 'ngt-panel-for-protection-of-mahanadi-floodplain',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7188,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Extreme Climate Events: CEEW',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent study on the report <strong>&ldquo;Preparing India for Extreme Climate Events&rdquo;</strong> released by the <strong>Council on Energy, Environment and Water</strong> (CEEW),<strong> over 75% of districts in India are hotspots of extreme climate events</strong> such as <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cyclone-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyclones</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/flood-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>floods</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unccd-drought-tool-box#:~:text=Drought%20is%20generally%20considered%20as,definition%20of%20drought%20in%20India." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>droughts</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-waves" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>heat waves</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cold-wave-1#:~:text=Cold%20Wave%20Conditions%3A,degree%20Celsius%20is%20rarely%20reached." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cold waves.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the<strong> first time</strong> that extreme weather event hotspots in the country have been mapped. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>CEEW</strong> is an independent, non-partisan, one of Asia&rsquo;s leading not-for-profit policy research institutions, devoted to research on all matters affecting the use, reuse, and misuse of resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The report comes just after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-environment-outlook" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Environment Programme</strong></a> (UNEP) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emissions-gap-report-2020-unep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Emissions Gap Report 2020</strong></a> which warned that the world is heading for a temperature <strong>rise of over 3 degrees Celsius</strong> this century.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>frequency, intensity,</strong> and<strong> unpredictability</strong> of extreme events have risen in recent decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While India witnessed 250 extreme climate events in 35 years between 1970 and 2005, it recorded 310 such weather events in only 15 years since then.</li>
<li>With an unusual spike in extreme events since 2005, these districts are bearing the <strong>effects of changing microclimate </strong>with<strong> loss of property, livelihoods and lives.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>pattern reflects the global changes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Extreme weather events resulting from climate change led to <strong>4,95,000 human deaths across the world in 1999-2018.</strong></li>
<li>More than 12,000 extreme weather events led to <strong>losses worth USD 3.54 trillion</strong> (measured in terms of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-purchasing-power-parities-icp-2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>purchasing power parity</strong></a> or PPP) during this period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> current trend</strong> of catastrophic climate events <strong>results from a mere 0.6 degrees Celsius temperature rise in the last 100 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is <strong>already the 5<sup>th</sup> most vulnerable country globally</strong> in terms of extreme climate events, and it is all set to become the world&rsquo;s flood capital.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cyclones:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>After 2005,</strong> the yearly average number of<strong> districts affected by cyclones tripled</strong> and the <strong>cyclone frequency-doubled.</strong></li>
<li>In the past decade, 258 districts were affected by cyclones with hotspot districts<strong> all along the eastern coastline.</strong></li>
<li>The east coast&rsquo;s warming regional microclimate, <strong>land-use change,</strong> and<strong> degrading forests</strong> are triggering the region&rsquo;s cyclonic activity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flood Events:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The decade <strong>2000-2009 showed a spike in extreme flood events and in associated flood events,</strong> which affected almost 473 districts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Events associated with floods such as<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/landslide-in-kodagu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> landslides</strong></a>, <strong>heavy rainfall, hailstorms, thunderstorms, and cloudbursts</strong> increased by over 20 times.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The compounding effects of<strong> land subsidence,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cities-are-turning-into-lightening-magnets" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>urban heat island phenomenon</strong></a>, and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/large-population-and-assets-to-be-affected-by-sea-level-rise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> sea-level rise</a> due to glacial melts</strong> are leading to the <strong>intensification of cyclonic disturbances,</strong> thus increasing the number of flood events experienced during the decade and making it an outlier.</li>
<li>While the <strong>number of rainy days during monsoon has decreased, single-day extreme rainfall events are increasing,</strong> leading to flooding.</li>
<li><strong>Six of India&rsquo;s eight most flood-prone districts</strong> in the last decade, Barpeta, Darrang, Dhemaji, Goalpara, Golaghat and Sivasagar, are <strong>located in Assam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Droughts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>yearly average of drought-affected districts increased 13 times after 2005.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Until 2005, the number of districts affected by drought was six, but<strong> after 2005 this figure rose to 79.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While the<strong> intensity of damage in terms of loss of life has reduced significantly, </strong>droughts <strong>increase uncertainties related to agriculture and rural livelihoods.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Drought-affected district hotspots of India in the last decade</strong> were Ahmednagar, Aurangabad (both Maharashtra), Anantapur, Chittoor (both Andhra Pradesh), Bagalkot, Bijapur, Chikkaballapur, Gulbarga, and Hassan (all Karnataka).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Weakening of Monsoon:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The empirical evidence generated from the analysis coincides with the <strong>weakening of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monsoons</a> due to rising micro-temperatures.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This further can be validated by the fact that states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh saw severe <strong>water scarcity during 2015 due to record-breaking temperatures during summer and weakening monsoons.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Swapping of Nature of Extreme Events:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study also found a<strong> shift in the pattern of extreme climate events,</strong> such as <strong>flood-prone areas becoming drought-prone and vice-versa,</strong> in over 40% of Indian districts.</li>
<li>This swapping has<strong> happened in two ways.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In some cases, districts which were <strong>flood-prone have now become drought-prone and vice versa.</strong></li>
<li>While <strong>many districts are facing floods and droughts simultaneously.</strong> This trend is both <strong>unusual and alarming, </strong>and <strong>requires further investigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coastal southern Indian states</strong> are increasingly <strong>witnessing more droughts.</strong></li>
<li>Further,<strong> floods and droughts coincide during the same season</strong> in several districts of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Develop a Climate Risk Atlas</strong> to map critical vulnerabilities such as coasts, urban heat stress, water stress, and biodiversity collapse.</li>
<li><strong>Develop an Integrated Emergency Surveillance System</strong> to facilitate a systematic and sustained response to emergencies.</li>
<li><strong>Mainstream risk assessment at all levels,</strong> including localised, regional, sectoral, cross-sectoral, macro and micro-climatic level.</li>
<li><strong>Enhance adaptive and resilience capacity</strong> to climate-proof lives, livelihoods and investments.</li>
<li><strong>Increase the participatory engagement of all stakeholders</strong> in the risk assessment process.</li>
<li><strong>Integrate risk assessment</strong> into local, sub-national, and national level plans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Microclimatic zones shifting</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Microclimatic zones, or<strong> areas where the weather is different from surrounding areas, </strong>are<strong> shifting across</strong> various districts of India.</li>
<li>A shift in microclimate zones may<strong> lead to severe disruptions across sectors.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Every 2 degrees Celsius rise in annual mean temperature will reduce agricultural productivity by 15-20%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some reasons<strong> identified behind this shift </strong>in microclimatic zones is<strong> change in land-use patterns, deforestation, encroachments upon mangroves, disappearing wetlands</strong> and <strong>natural ecosystems by encroachment, </strong>and<strong> urban heat islands that trap heat locally.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-75-districts-hotspots-of-extreme-weather-events-finds-study-2-7100341/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7154,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Recovery from Coal Mining in Meghalaya’s Moolamylliang',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Moolamylliang,</strong> a village in <strong>Meghalaya&rsquo;s East Jaintia Hills district,</strong> is making progress in becoming a greener place amid abandoned pits from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rat-hole-mining#:~:text=Rat%20hole%20mining%20involves%20digging,unscientific%20and%20unsafe%20for%20workers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>rat-hole mining.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers&rsquo; Association</strong> claims there are around 60,000 coal mines across 360 villages in East Jaintia Hills district.</li>
<li>Moolamylliang used to be one such village until the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></a> (NGT) <strong>banned</strong> hazardous rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya in <strong>April 2014</strong> and set a time limit for transporting the coal already mined till that time.</li>
<li>Though the NGT <strong>ban did not stop illegal mining</strong> in the district, it <strong>helped Moolamylliang reform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coal Mining in Northeast:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the northeast, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/liberalisation-of-coal-mining" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coal mining</strong></a> is part of a larger trend which is the <strong>decimation of natural resources.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, there is large-scale <strong>deforestation going on in the Garo and Khasi Hills</strong> of Meghalaya, besides <strong>limestone mining</strong> in the <strong>Jaintia Hills.</strong></li>
<li>Assam, which has lost most of its once extensive forest cover, sees <strong>poaching in the Dima Hasao region, coal mining</strong> in Upper Assam, and<strong> sand/stone mining</strong> from river beds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>There are three notable <strong>peculiarities of coal mining in the Jaintia Hills</strong> (and elsewhere in Meghalaya).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Being a tribal state where the <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/indepth-6th-schedule-and-ilp#:~:text=6th%20Schedule,(1)%20of%20the%20Constitution." target="_blank" rel="noopener">6<sup>th</sup> Schedule</a> applies, all land is privately owned,</strong> and hence coal mining is done by private parties. The schedule <strong>does not explicitly refer to mining.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>sizable coal deposits</strong> in the state, mostly in the Jaintia Hills, <strong>occur in horizontal seams only</strong> a few feet high that run through the hills which is why <strong>rat-hole mining is practised instead of open cast mining.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Most of the labour</strong> (including children) comes from Nepal, the <strong>poorer areas</strong> of Assam, and Bangladesh. In Meghalaya, the non-tribal is a second-class citizen, as is the poor tribal, which explains the<strong> general lack of concern even within the State about the trapped miners.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rat-hole Mining:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a term used for a <strong>hazardous and arduous mining technique</strong> where miners crawl into winding underground tunnels that are just 4-5 feet in diameter to extract coal from the deep seams with a pickaxe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Open Cast Mining:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> surface mining technique</strong> of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open-air pit, sometimes known as a <strong>borrow.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ecological Issues:</strong> Unsustainable mining in hilly areas <strong>contaminates the farmlands and turns the streams acidic,</strong> leading to the<strong> loss of biodiversity and local heritage.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Health Issues:</strong> The prevalence of mining in an area <strong>causes various diseases</strong> like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetic-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fibrosis</strong></a>, pneumoconiosis and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/silicosis-and-mining-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>silicosis</strong></a> in workers as well as locals.</li>
<li><strong>Child Labour and Trafficking:</strong> Majority of the workers involved in 'rat-hole' mining are children. They are suited for this job because of their small anatomy that fits small mine tunnels. Rat-hole mining has <strong>encouraged child<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-war-against-human-trafficking#:~:text=Section%20370%20and%20370A%20of,the%20forced%20removal%20of%20organs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> trafficking</a></strong> apart from <strong>engaging with immigrants</strong> from many states.</li>
<li><strong>Corruption: Police officials often collaborate with mine owners</strong> in states where the open cast mining and rat hole mining are the norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The administration tried to make coke factories and cement plants in the vicinity contribute to <strong>earth rejuvenation programmes</strong> in the area under their <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corporate-social-responsibility-csr-expenditure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong> </a>(CSR).</li>
<li>Among the projects being pursued is <strong>low-cost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/water-conservation-traditional-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rainwater harvesting</a></strong> for <strong>recharging the area</strong> that has become dry because of coal mining.</li>
<li>Making Moolamylliang a <strong>base camp for tourists to explore caves, canyons and waterfalls</strong> in parts of East Jaintia Hills that have escaped the impact of mining, will <strong>boost <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tourism</a> and bring in revenue.</strong></li>
<li>Since the 6<sup>th</sup> Schedule does not explicitly refer to mining,<strong> environmental activists are calling for the coal trade to come under central mining and environmental laws.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government Initiatives Related to Mining</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>April 2018,</strong> the Ministry of Coal launched the <strong>Unlocking Transparency by Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal </strong>(UTTAM)<strong> Application</strong> for coal quality monitoring.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/national-mineral-policy-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Na&shy;tional Min&shy;eral Pol&shy;icy</strong></a> (NMP) was ap&shy;proved in 2019, which em&shy;pha&shy;sises&shy; on themes such as sus&shy;tain&shy;able min&shy;ing, boost&shy;ing ex&shy;plo&shy;ration, en&shy;cour&shy;ag&shy;ing the use of state-of-the-art tech&shy;nol&shy;ogy and skill de&shy;vel&shy;op&shy;ment.</li>
<li>In <strong>Septem&shy;ber 2019, 100% FDI un&shy;der the au&shy;to&shy;matic ap&shy;proval route was allowed</strong> for the sale of coal and coal min&shy;ing ac&shy;tiv&shy;i&shy;ties in&shy;clud&shy;ing as&shy;so&shy;ci&shy;ated pro&shy;cess&shy;ing in&shy;fra&shy;struc&shy;ture.</li>
<li>In <strong>January 2020,</strong> the Parliament passed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mineral-laws-amendment-bill-2020#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20Parliament%20has%20passed,promulgated%20on%2011th%20January%202020." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It amends the <strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957</strong> and the<strong> Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>1957 Act</strong> regulates the mining sector in India and specifies the requirement for obtaining and granting mining leases for mining operations.</li>
<li>The<strong> 2015 Act</strong> provides for allocation of coal mines and vesting of the right, title and interest in and over the land and mine infrastructure together with mining leases to successful bidders with a view to ensure continuity in coal mining operations and production of coal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Bill <strong>per&shy;mits com&shy;mer&shy;cial coal min&shy;ing for lo&shy;cal and global firms</strong> with&shy;out im&shy;pos&shy;ing any end-user re&shy;stric&shy;tions, also it ex&shy;tend&shy;s the va&shy;lid&shy;ity of clear&shy;ances for min&shy;ing leases ex&shy;pir&shy;ing in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/meghalaya-village-turns-oasis-in-coal-mine-desert/article33265390.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7017,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Anakkayam Small Hydro Electric Project',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, various green collectives and environmental organisations have come together to protest against the <strong>Anakkayam Small Hydro Electric Project</strong> in Kerala.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The site of the project is not far from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/athirapally-hydel-electric-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Athirapally Hydel Electric Project.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will come up in the buffer zone of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/early-migration-of-butterflies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Parambikulam Tiger Reserve</strong></a> (PTR) and will also<strong> create a 5.617-km-long tunnel</strong> within the forest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Environmental Consequences:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around <strong>20 hectares of forest land will have to be cleared</strong> out and <strong>around 1900 large trees</strong> and a larger number of small trees<strong> will be cut.</strong></li>
<li>The area is<strong> ecologically fragile,</strong> as seen in the massive<strong> landslide followed by minor landslides at the project site in 2018,</strong> and the consequences will extend to<strong> loss of precious flora and fauna species.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Absence of Consent:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was <strong>granted approval without obtaining permission</strong> from the local <strong>Kadar tribe</strong> which holds the <strong>right of Community Forest Resources</strong> (CFR) as per the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/forest-rights-act-2006" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Forest Rights Act, 2006.</strong></a></li>
<li>The site of the hydel project comes within the 400 sq kms of forest land that were given as CFR to the Kadar tribe which has the responsibility to protect and conserve the habitat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Athirapally Hydel Electric Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>June 2020,</strong> the Kerala government approved the Athirapally Hydro Electric Project (AHEP) on the <strong>Chalakudy river in Thrissur district of Kerala.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Chalakudy River <strong>originates in the Anamalai region of Tamil Nadu</strong> and is joined by its <strong>major tributaries</strong> Parambikulam, Kuriyarkutti, Sholayar, Karapara and Anakayam in Kerala. It <strong>flows through Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam</strong> districts of Kerala.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has also been<strong> facing opposition and protests</strong> due to its <strong>adverse effects on the fragile river ecosystem</strong> at Athirappilly and the other <strong>related environmental threats.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Parambikulam Tiger Reserve</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a well protected ecological portion in the <strong>Nelliampathy-Anamalai landscape</strong> of the <strong>Southern Western Ghats</strong> in India.</li>
<li>It is located in the<strong> Palakkad District of Kerala.</strong></li>
<li>It was<strong> declared as Tiger Reserve during 2008-09.</strong></li>
<li>The reserve is credited with the<strong> first scientifically managed teak plantation in the world</strong> which was later merged with the forest land.</li>
<li>It has the <strong>world's largest and oldest teak tree</strong> named <em>"Kannimara",</em> which is believed to be <strong>350 years old.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605695306_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605695306_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/green-collectives-to-protest-against-anakkayam-hydel-project/article33120677.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6831,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Seagrass',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>restoration process of seagrasses</strong> has been taken up by Tamil Nadu in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-1st-june-2019#:~:text=in%20Mandapam%20cluster.-,Gulf%20of%20Mannar,miles%20(160%20km)%20long." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf of Mannar.</strong></a></p>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603533009_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603533009_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603532962_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603532962_image2.jpg" caption="false" width="250" style="float: right;" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seagrasses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>flowering plants</strong> that<strong> grow submerged in shallow marine waters</strong> like bays and lagoons.</li>
<li>These have<strong> tiny flowers</strong> and <strong>strap-like or oval leaves.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Evolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Terrestrial plants</strong> evolved about <strong>850 million years</strong> ago from a group of green <strong>algae</strong> and seagrasses evolved from terrestrial plants that recolonised the ocean <strong>70-100 million years ago.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Food Production:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Like terrestrial plants, seagrasses also <strong>require sunlight for photosynthesis</strong> from which these<strong> manufacture their own food </strong>and<strong> release oxygen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reproduction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sexual Reproduction Method:</strong> The <strong>pollen from the flower of the male plant is transferred to the ovary of the female</strong> flower through this method.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is known as <strong>submarine pollination.</strong> Most species undergo this process and complete their life cycle underwater.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Asexual Reproduction Method:</strong> Seagrasses can also reproduce asexually by <strong>branching off at their rhizomes</strong> (modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Because of this character, they <strong>can recover after being cut by grazers or disturbed by storms.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Order and Species:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are <strong>60 species</strong> belonging to four families in the <strong>order <em>Alismatales.</em></strong></li>
<li>Some of the important seagrasses are <strong>Sea Cow Grass</strong> <em>(Cymodocea serrulata),</em> <strong>Thready Seagrass</strong> <em>(Cymodocea rotundata),</em><strong> Needle Seagrass </strong><em>(Syringodium isoetifolium), </em><strong>Flat-tipped Seagrass</strong><em> (Halodule uninervis)</em>, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though seagrasses <strong>inhabit all types of substratas</strong> (layers) from mud to rock, the lush green seagrass beds are <strong>found extensively in muddy and sandy substratas.</strong></li>
<li>These occur all <strong>along the coastal areas of India</strong> and are abundant in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Palk Strait</strong></a> and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seagrasses are considered<strong> &lsquo;Ecosystem Engineers&rsquo;</strong> as they are known for providing many ecosystem services and are also called<strong> &lsquo;the lungs of the sea&rsquo;</strong> as they release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis.</li>
<li><strong>Sequesters up to 11% of the organic carbon</strong> buried in the ocean even though they occupy only 0.1% of the ocean floor and <strong>absorb 83 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere annually.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Seagrasses can capture carbon from the atmosphere <strong>up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help maintain water quality</strong> by trapping fine sediments and suspended particles in the water column and increase water clarity.</li>
<li><strong>Filter nutrients released from land-based industries</strong> before they reach sensitive habitats like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/significance-of-dead-coral-reef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coral reefs.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Prevent soil erosion</strong> as the extensive vertical and horizontal root systems of seagrasses stabilise the sea bottom.</li>
<li><strong>Provide food as well as habitat</strong> for fishes, octopuses, shrimp, blue crabs, oysters, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Endangered marine organisms like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-dugong-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>dugong</strong> </a>(Sea Cow), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-headed-green-turtle" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>green turtle</strong></a>, etc,<strong> graze directly</strong> on seagrass leaves.</li>
<li><strong>Bottle-nosed dolphins feed on the organisms</strong> that live in seagrass areas.</li>
<li><strong>Detritus</strong> (natural waste) of decomposed dead seagrass <strong>supplies food for worms, sea cucumbers, crabs,</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>After decomposition,</strong> it releases <strong>nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus</strong> which are absorbed by seagrasses and phytoplankton.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protect</strong> juvenile and small adult fish<strong> from large predators</strong> and also protect worms, crabs, starfishes, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc,<strong> from strong currents.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Provide ideal nursery sites</strong> for important commercial marine life like squids and cuttlefish.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seagrass beds are facing <strong>decline all over the world at the rate of 2-5% annually.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around 30,000 square kilometres of seagrass has been lost during recent decades at a global level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These face <strong>natural disturbances</strong> like grazing, storms, <strong>ice-scouring</strong> (abrasion and erosion of seabeds by glaciers.) and <strong>desiccation</strong> (extreme dryness).</li>
<li><strong>Human disturbances</strong> like <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/marine-pollution#:~:text=Eutrophication%3A%20When%20a%20water%20body,depletion%20of%20the%20water%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>eutrophication</strong></a>, mechanical destruction of habitat, overfishing, release of nutrients, coastal engineering construction, pollution, etc are destructive for them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>If seagrass habitats are lost, the marine organisms that depend on them for their survival may also face extinction, resulting in the loss of marine ecosystem productivity.</li>
<li>Protection and restoration should be attempted at a global level as it can play a significant role in mitigating climate change.</li>
<li>There is an urgent need to take earnest measures to conserve seagrasses and their habitats. For that, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Union for the Conservation of Nature</strong> </a>(IUCN) should intervene immediately and study the status of the different seagrass species before they become extinct.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/wildlife-biodiversity/why-we-must-conserve-the-world-s-seagrasses-73852#:~:text=Seagrass%20habitats%20protect%20juvenile%20and,%2C%20etc%2C%20from%20strong%20currents." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6805,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Environmental Clearance to Kaleshwaram Project Invalid',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/10-years-of-national-green-tribunal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> has declared that the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaleshwaram-project-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project</strong> </a>in Telangana was ex post facto (i.e. granted after completion of substantial work) and illegal.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>multi-purpose irrigation project,</strong> on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaleshwaram-lift-irrigation-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Godavari River</strong></a> in Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally, Telangana initiated in 2016.</li>
<li>The project starts at the confluence point of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaleshwaram-lift-irrigation-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Pranahita River</strong></a> <strong>and Godavari River.</strong></li>
<li>Originally called <strong>Dr. B R Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Project</strong> in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, it was redesigned, extended and <strong>renamed as Kaleshwaram project in Telangana in 2014.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues in the Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> petition filed in 2018</strong> stated that while the <strong>Kaleshwaram Project</strong> was a <strong>lift irrigation system,</strong> the<strong> state government wrongly claimed, until the grant of environmental clearance (EC),</strong> that the project was not for lift irrigation, but <strong>only for drinking water supply.</strong></li>
<li>Substantial work of the project had already been undertaken before granting of EC in December 2017. Thus, the EC was ex post facto, in violation of the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had published the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/draft-eia-notification-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2020</strong></a>, with the intention to replace the existing EIA Notification 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</li>
<li>The draft notification <strong>has provisions for post facto project clearance,</strong> reiteration of a March 2017 notification for projects operating without clearance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Project also underwent change by increase in capacity and inclusion of <strong>Mission Bhagiratha</strong> to provide drinking water to Hyderabad and certain villages of Telangana. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the pre-feasibility report submitted in January, 2017 and draft of EIA report submitted in July, 2017 did not mention the Mission Bhagiratha<strong> which involved interlinking of the two projects.</strong></li>
<li>Feasibility of the changed project was never evaluated while granting EC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NGT&rsquo;s Observation:</strong> There are <strong>two legal issues confronting the Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>One,</strong> Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation<strong> Project was functioning without requisite prior environmental clearance</strong> under <strong>EIA Notification, 2006, until 2017,</strong> when the EC was granted.</li>
<li><strong>Second,</strong> project contractor L&amp;T was alleged to have cleared large areas of forest land for construction of quarters for its employees, <strong>without requisite forest clearance</strong> under the <strong>Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>NGT directed</strong> that until the Telangana government obtains final forest clearance, it should <strong>stop all work except the drinking water component.</strong></li>
<li>It has further asked MoEFCC to consider measures to prevent recurrence of such violations where EC is sought ex post facto.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is particularly required when the projects are multi-purpose and part of it requires EC, so that such requirement is not defeated on specious plea that the project was partly not covered by the schedule Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification as has happened in the present case.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It observed that<strong> accountability of the responsible person needs to be fixed and remedial measures has to be taken.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For that purpose, it has directed the MoEFCC to <strong>constitute a seven-member expert committee.</strong></li>
<li>The expert committee could assess the extent of damage caused in going ahead with the project without EC &ndash; the period from 2008 to 2017 &mdash; and identify the necessary restoration measures.</li>
<li>The expert committee must be constituted within a month and needs to complete its exercise within six months.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Mission Bhagiratha</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>project for safe drinking water</strong> for every village and city household in Telangana State.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims to provide piped water</strong> to 2.32 crore people in 20 lakh households in urban and 60 lakhs in rural areas of Telangana.</li>
<li>The project will supply clean drinking water to all households in the state through <strong>water sourced from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2nd-meeting-of-the-apex-council-for-krishna-and-godavari-river-water-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener">River Godavari and River Krishna.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ngt-red-flags-kaleshwaram-project-green-clearance-was-in-violation-of-law-halt-work-6813921/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6785,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Delhi Air Pollution',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has highlighted that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-new-attack-on-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>air pollution</strong></a> <strong>is not a problem of Delhi and its corporations alone</strong> but that of a big <strong>airshed</strong> around it that includes the National Capital Region (NCR).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Airshed:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In geography, an airshed is defined as a<strong> region in which the atmosphere shares common features with respect to the dispersion of pollutants;</strong> in other words, a <strong>region sharing a common flow of air.</strong></li>
<li>With reference to the air pollution in and around Delhi, the airshed includes <strong>Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, areas of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and even Alwar in Rajasthan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Air Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sameer-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air Quality Index</strong> </a>(AQI) of Delhi has improved within the &lsquo;poor&rsquo; category.</li>
<li>As per a forecast from the Central government&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research</strong></a> (SAFAR) the AQI is expected to stay in the higher end of &lsquo;poor&rsquo; to the lower end of &lsquo;very poor&rsquo; category for the following days.</li>
<li>During the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-lockdown-improved-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> lockdowns, Delhi saw among the cleanest air</strong> </a>since comprehensive records have been kept since 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Air Pollution in Delhi</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Air pollution in Delhi-NCR and the <strong>Indo Gangetic Plains</strong> is a complex phenomenon that is dependent on a variety of factors.</li>
<li><strong>Change in Wind Direction:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>October usually marks the withdrawal of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>monsoons</strong></a> in Northwest India and during this time, the <strong>predominant direction of winds is northwesterly.</strong></li>
<li>The direction of the wind is northwesterly in summers as well, which<strong> brings the dust</strong> from northern Pakistan and Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduced Wind Speed:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>High-speed winds are very effective at dispersing pollutants, but <strong>winters bring a dip in wind speed</strong> overall as compared to in summers which makes the region <strong>prone to pollution.</strong></li>
<li>Also, Delhi lies in a <strong>landlocked region</strong> which does not have a geographical advantage that eastern, western or southern parts of the country enjoy where the <strong>sea breeze disperses the concentrated pollutants.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stubble Burning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crop-stubble-burning-challenge-in-punjab" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stubble burning</strong> </a>in Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana is blamed for causing a thick blanket of smog in Delhi during winters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere which contain harmful gases</strong> like methane (CH<sub>4</sub>), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Farm fires have been an<strong> easy way to get rid of paddy stubble quickly and at low cost</strong> for several years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vehicular Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the biggest causes</strong> of dipping air quality in Delhi in winters and around 20% of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-air-quality-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM2.5</strong></a> in winters comes from it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dust Storms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Dust storms from Gulf countries</strong> enhance the already worse condition. Dry cold weather means <strong>dust is prevalent in the entire region, which does not see many rainy days</strong> between October and June.</li>
<li>Dust pollution contributes to around 56% of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/a-roadmap-towards-cleaning-indias-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM10</strong></a> and the PM2.5 load.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dip in Temperatures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As temperature dips, the <strong>inversion height is lowered and the concentration of pollutants in the air increases</strong> when this happens.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Inversion height</strong> is the layer beyond which pollutants cannot disperse into the upper layer of the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Firecrackers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Despite the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/SC%20Order%20on%20Crackers%20During%20Diwali" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ban on cracker sales</strong></a>,<strong> firecrackers are a common sight on Diwali.</strong> It may not be the top reason for air pollution, but it definitely contributed to its build-up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Construction Activities and Open Waste Burning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Large-scale construction</strong> in Delhi-NCR is another culprit that is increasing dust and pollution in the air. Delhi also has <strong>landfill sites for the dumping of waste and burning of waste</strong> in these sites also contributes to air pollution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Major Measures Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subsidy to farmers for buying Turbo Happy Seeder</strong> (THS) which is a machine mounted on a tractor that cuts and uproots the stubble, in order to reduce stubble burning.</li>
<li>The <strong>introduction of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BS-VI vehicles</a></strong>, push for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electric vehicles</strong></a> (EVs), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Odd-Even</strong></a> as an emergency measure and <strong>construction of the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways</strong> to reduce vehicular pollution.</li>
<li><strong>Implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grap-to-be-enforced-in-delhi-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Graded Response Action Plan</a></strong> (GRAP) to tackle the rising pollution in the Capital. It includes measures like shutting down thermal power plants and a <strong>ban on construction activities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Development of the National AQI</strong> for public information under the aegis of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board</strong> </a>(CPCB). AQI has been<strong> developed for eight pollutants</strong> viz. PM2.5, PM10, Ammonia, Lead, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Appropriate political will and aware citizenry is a prerequisite to tackle the menace, otherwise, all the measures will remain on paper only and greater public transparency is essential to the success of winning the war on air pollution.</li>
<li>There is no better watchdog than active citizens, which is why the pollution targets must be made public every year for their perusal and to be evaluated at the end of the year.</li>
<li>Breathing clean air is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen. Therefore, human health must become a priority when it comes to tackling air pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/air-pollution-not-only-delhi-problem-but-pan-ncr-one-need-coordination-javadekar-6779544/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6718,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Anti-pollution Campaign: Delhi',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Delhi Government has recently launched a major anti-pollution campaign, <em>Yuddh Pradushan Ke Viruddh</em>, which includes a <strong>tree transplantation policy,</strong> construction of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smog-tower-in-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>smog tower</strong></a> at Connaught Place (Delhi), promoting <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electric vehicles</strong> </a>and preventing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>stubble burning.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will help in combating the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/air-pollution-in-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>poor air quality of Delhi</strong> </a>which deteriorates even more in the winter season.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tree Transplantation Policy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tree transplantation refers to uprooting a tree from a particular spot, lifting it, and planting it at another spot,</li>
<li>Under this policy, a<strong> minimum of 80% of trees affected by any developmental project, will be transplanted.</strong> Also, a minimum of 80% of the transplanted trees should survive and ensuring this would be the responsibility of the agencies that will take permission from the government.</li>
<li>This transplantation will be in addition to the<strong> existing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inadequate-compensatory-afforestation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">compensatory afforestation</a></strong> of planting of <strong>10 saplings for every tree that is cut.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>panel of the agencies</strong> that excel in the task of transplantation and a dedicated <strong>Tree Transplantation Cell</strong> will also be formed by the government.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Planting a new sampling as a substitute for an existing fully grown tree does not adequately counter the adverse environmental effect of cutting the existing tree. Transplantation will ensure the <strong>conservation of old trees.</strong></li>
<li>Also, many old trees have a <strong>symbolic or heritage value</strong> which needs to be preserved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Low Success Rate:</strong> Transplantation is a complicated process with a success rate of around 50%. The survival rate of a transplanted tree depends on soil type as a tree growing on the Delhi ridge is unlikely to survive in the Yamuna floodplain.</li>
<li><strong>Expensive:</strong> It costs around Rs 1 lakh to transplant an average-sized tree.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Smog Tower:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>smog tower,</strong> which will act as a mega air purifier, will also be installed in Delhi to counter the persistent issue of smog in Delhi as per the November 2019 order of the Supreme Court to the Delhi government and the Central Pollution Control Board.</li>
<li>The towers to be installed in Delhi will be the result of a collaboration between the <strong>IITs at Mumbai and Delhi, and the University of Minnesota.</strong></li>
<li>Smog towers have been experimented with in recent years in cities in the Netherlands, China, South Korea and Poland. The first such tower was erected in <strong>2015, in Rotterdam, Netherlands,</strong> created by Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde.</li>
<li>The <strong>world&rsquo;s largest air-purifying tower is in Xi&rsquo;an, China.</strong></li>
<li>The Tower will<strong> suck the polluted air from above and release clean air from the bottom. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Limitations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Many experts have claimed that due to the large volume of air outdoors, smog towers are <strong>not efficient</strong> in cleaning the air per se.</li>
<li>Even in the case of China, there is<strong> insufficient data to support the effectiveness</strong> of its smog towers.</li>
<li>An expert panel has estimated that Delhi will need a total of 213 smog towers to battle the pollution crisis which will be very<strong> expensive</strong> as each tower will cost around 20 crore rupees.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Electric Vehicles (EVs)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government aims to make<strong> EVs account for a quarter of the new vehicles registered in the capital by 2024.</strong></li>
<li>EVs will gain from purchase <strong>incentives, scrappage benefits</strong> on older vehicles, <strong>loans</strong> at favourable interest and a <strong>waiver</strong> of road taxes.</li>
<li>Recently, the Delhi government notified the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electric-vehicles-policy-2020-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electric Vehicles Policy 2020</strong> </a>which lays the maximum emphasis on replacement of two-wheelers, public transport and shared vehicles and goods-carriers instead of private four-wheelers, with EVs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from these steps, the campaign also focuses on cutting the <strong>deadly smoke from thermal plants and brick kilns</strong> in Delhi as well as on the chemical treatment of <strong>stubble burning</strong> from nearby States.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Air Pollution in Delhi</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to air quality data compiled by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO), Delhi is among the world&rsquo;s most polluted cities.</li>
<li>Particulate matter, PM2.5 and PM10 in Delhi, exceed national standards and the more stringent World Health Organization limits. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi needs a <strong>65% reduction to meet the national standards for PM2.5.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Delhi&rsquo;s toxic air also contains<strong> high doses of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.</strong></li>
<li>The lack of wind worsens the pollutant concentration.</li>
<li>The Ministry of Earth Sciences published a research paper in October 2018 attributing almost <strong>41% to vehicular emissions, 21.5% to dust and 18% to industries.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emission testing of vehicles is only 25%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the WHO, India has the world's highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and asthma. Air pollution also impacts the environment through reduced visibility, acid rain, and formation of ozone at the tropospheric level.</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Deteriorating Air Quality of Delhi</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Stubble Burning</li>
<li>Vehicular Emission</li>
<li>Weather</li>
<li>High Population Density</li>
<li>Lack of Infrastructure</li>
<li>Construction Activities and Open waste burning</li>
<li>Thermal Power Plant and Industries</li>
<li>Firecrackers</li>
<li>Diesel generators</li>
<li>Dust Storm from Gulf countries</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Delhi&rsquo;s long-term solution will depend importantly also on <strong>abating emissions from transportation.</strong> A three-part action for combating vehicular emissions comprises <strong>emissions standards, public transport, and electric vehicles.</strong> The Supreme Court&rsquo;s ruling to increase Delhi&rsquo;s bus fleet and align it with the Metro network must be carried out.</li>
<li><strong>Technical solutions</strong> need to be underpinned by <strong>coordination and transparency</strong> across Central, State, and local governments.<strong> Citizen participation</strong> and the media are vital for sharing the message on pollution and health, using data such as those from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board.</strong></a></li>
<li>The need to control becomes ever more important in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> scenario when respiratory ailments due to air pollution can worsen the condition of Covid-19 affected people.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/towards-cleaner-air-in-delhi/article32836821.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6708,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Lepidoptera Species and Climate Change',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to a recent study, <strong>rising average temperatures in the Himalayan region</strong> have driven several dozen <strong>species of butterfly and moth to habitats higher up</strong> the mountains.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Himalayas</strong> are home to more than <strong>35% of Lepidoptera species</strong> (butterflies and moths) found in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lepidoptera:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lepidoptera is the order of insects that includes butterflies, moths and skippers.</li>
<li>The name Lepidoptera is derived from the <strong>Greek,</strong> meaning <strong>&ldquo;scaly winged,&rdquo;</strong> and refers to the <strong>characteristic covering of microscopic dustlike scales on the wings.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to their <strong>day-flying habits and bright colours,</strong> the <strong>butterflies</strong> are <strong>more familiar</strong> than the chiefly <strong>night-flying and dull-coloured moths,</strong> but the latter is far more varied and abundant.</li>
<li>The <strong>skippers are a worldwide group intermediate</strong> between butterflies and moths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are ecologically important because they <strong>transform large amounts of plant matter into the animal matter</strong> and in turn <strong>serve as food</strong> for many other groups of animals.</li>
<li>The adults of many species are important for their<strong> role in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pollinator-week#:~:text=When%20a%20pollen%20grain%20moves,water%20pollination%20or%20through%20pollinators." target="_blank" rel="noopener">pollination</a></strong>, which occurs as they visit flowers for nectar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was <strong>carried out by</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-new-species-of-eels" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zoological Survey of India</strong></a> (ZSI) and was <strong>funded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</strong></li>
<li>The four-year study <strong>tracked 1,274 species of moth and 484 species</strong> of butterfly in <strong>Jammu and Kashmir </strong>(J&amp;K)<strong>, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, North Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>It also <strong>identified 80 new species</strong> of butterfly and moth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings of the Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At least 49 species of moth and 17 species of butterfly have shown <strong>&ldquo;considerable new upward altitude records&rdquo;,</strong> with a difference of more than 1,000 metres between their current and previously recorded mean habitat altitudes.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Few <strong>species of moths</strong> like the mulberry silkworm moth and tiger moth have started to inhabit altitudes <strong>more than 2,000 m higher</strong> than the previous mean.</li>
<li><strong>Butterflies</strong> like the Common Map, Tailless Bushblue and the Indian Red Admiral butterfly have seen the<strong> difference ranging from 900-1500 m</strong> in their habitats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The extension of the range of Lepidoptera due to climate change has been<strong> observed all over the world</strong> and<strong> Indian data from this evidence-based study confirms this trend</strong> and shows which species are moving, and how.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Butterflies are <strong>sensitive species that are extremely susceptible to changes</strong> in climate. They are, therefore, <strong>good indicators of long-term change</strong> in climatic conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ZSI <strong>predicts a decline of as much as 91%</strong> for example,<strong> in the suitable area for the Notodontidae family of moths</strong> in J&amp;K, Himachal, and Uttarakhand by 2050.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The findings will be <strong>used as a baseline indicator to track the impact of climate change</strong> on animal species over the coming decade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The study has <strong>identified two species richness hotspots:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One is in <strong>West Bengal&rsquo;s Darjeeling hills,</strong> where more than 400 species records were documented.</li>
<li>Another one is in <strong>Kumaon, Uttarakhand,</strong> where more than 600 species records were found.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The study also<strong> revealed an increase in the richness of Lepidoptera biodiversity from the Western to the Eastern Himalayas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Factors behind the Upward Movement:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Receding ice caps and glaciers</strong></a> leading to a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/water-stress-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>scarcity of water</strong></a> in the Himalayas has been a major reason for the altitudinal shift of the Lepidoptera.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-climate-change-over-the-indian-region-moes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>increase in average temperature</strong></a> has resulted in an<strong> altitudinal shift in vegetation</strong> that once grew at lower altitudes in the Himalayas are now found only higher up in the mountains.</li>
<li><strong>Increasing human habitation</strong> has contributed to the shift as well.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, Shimla and Darjeeling are two big hotspots of rich butterfly diversity but <strong>expanding towns have encroached on virgin territory,</strong> and the space for the butterfly has shrunk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poaching-increased-during-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Poaching</a> and selling</strong> have led to the <strong>reduced or negligible population at the lower</strong> altitudes.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Butterflies like the Red Apollo are highly prized by collectors and are often poached. One butterfly sells for up to 100 pounds on the international market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/climate-change-himalayas-butterflies-moths-study-6721348/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6387,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'UN Special Rapporteurs on EIA 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of <strong>Special Rapporteurs to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> (UN) has written to the Indian government <strong>expressing concerns over the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/draft-eia-notification-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification 2020.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Special Rapporteurs are <strong>independent experts working on behalf of the UN.</strong> They work on a country or a thematic mandate specified by the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc#:~:text=The%20Mandate%20and%20Functioning,group%20basis%20from%205%20groups." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Human Rights Council</strong></a> (UNHRC).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The group has highlighted that the proposed notification <strong>appeared to have clauses that obstructed people&rsquo;s rights to a safe, clean and healthy environment.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>clauses which exempt several large industries and projects from the public consultation,</strong> as part of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Impact Assessment process.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The draft notification <strong>provides for a reduction of the time period from 30 days to 20</strong> <strong>days</strong> for the public to submit their responses during a public hearing for any application seeking environmental clearance.</li>
<li>This time frame is inadequate for the preparation of views, comments and suggestions and without a meaningful public hearing, the whole EIA process <strong>would lack transparency and credibility.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The draft notification <strong>does not require publication of information </strong>or<strong> holding of public consultation for projects</strong> labelled by the Central government as <strong>&lsquo;involving strategic considerations&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The 2020 draft notification <strong>allows for post-facto approval for projects</strong> which means that the clearances for projects can be awarded even if they have started construction or have been running phase without securing environmental clearances.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Post facto approval is the <strong>derogation of the fundamental principles of environmental jurisprudence and violation of the precautionary</strong> principle, which is a principle of environmental sustainability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The group has<strong> sought the government's response</strong> on how the provisions of the notification are consonant with<strong> India&rsquo;s obligations under international law.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a party to the <strong>Rio declaration (also known as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/earth-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Earth Summit</a>) adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development</strong> (UNCED)<strong> in 1992,</strong> which articulated a catalogue of environmental principles including sustainable development, precautionary principle, and EIA.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Following the <strong>Rio Conference 1992,</strong> EIA became part of the<strong> formalised legal framework in India in 1994.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is also party to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sixth-national-report-to-the-convention-of-biological-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on Biological Diversity</strong> </a>(CBD) and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Framework on Climate Change</strong></a> (UNFCCC), which contain a requirement to have a prior EIA in situations having a significant threat to the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Government&rsquo;s Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Environment Ministry Secretary has held that<strong> nothing in the proposed EIA, 2020 violates the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1#:~:text=Universal%20Declaration%20of%20Human%20Rights%20was%20proclaimed%20under%20UNGA%20resolution,equal%20in%20dignity%20and%20rights." target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Declaration of Human Rights</a></strong> and that the rapporteurs&rsquo; concerns are <strong>&ldquo;misplaced&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The proposed EIA is still a draft and was issued for public consultation. The <strong>imperfections in the existing EIA would be amended</strong> in the new notification.</li>
<li>With regard to <strong>post facto clearances,</strong> the <strong>violation of not taking prior approval would be punished as per law</strong> and projects that are already running would be considered only on merit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These clauses and exemptions are <strong>unjustified</strong> and the general <strong>public must be consulted.</strong> The argument becomes <strong>even stronger after the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vizag-gas-leak" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vizag gas leak</a> incident.</strong></li>
<li>It becomes even more significant in the wake of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> which has <strong>demonstrated the value of the environment</strong> for human&rsquo;s well-being.<strong> Reduced forest cover and consequent closeness of wildlife and related virus reservoirs (<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zoonotic diseases</a>)</strong> to humans, and more polluted air impacting human health highlight the need to preserve the environment.</li>
<li>The ministry, instead of reducing the time for public consultation, should<strong> focus on ensuring access to information as well as awareness</strong> about the public hearing and its impact upon the whole EIA process.</li>
<li><strong>&ldquo;Grow Now, Sustain Later&rdquo; should not be the policy,</strong> as the notion is dangerously tilted against the concept of sustainable development and with the EIA, there should <strong>also be a Social Impact Assessment to achieve sustainable development in true sense.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/experts-flag-concerns-on-eia-notification/article32517469.ece#:~:text=A%20group%20of%20Special%20Rapporteurs,%E2%80%9Cobligations%20under%20international%20law%E2%80%9D." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6198,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Oil Spill in Mauritius',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A japanese bulk-carrier ship MV Wakashio which was carrying fuel oil has split into two parts near <strong>Blue Bay Marine Park</strong> in<strong> south-east Mauritius.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ship was already leaking and has caused an oil spill of over 1000 tonnes in the <strong>Indian Ocean.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The vessel has broken near<strong> Pointe d'esny</strong> in Mauritius and the area has many environmentally sensitive zones.</li>
<li><strong>Effects:</strong> The oil spill threatens the ecology of the<strong> coastline of Mauritius</strong> and the <strong>marine life in the Indian Ocean.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It endangers the already endangered <strong>coral reefs, seagrasses in the shallow waters, mangroves, the fishes and other aquatic fauna.</strong></li>
<li>Some key wildlife at risk include: Giant tortoises, endangered green turtle, and the<strong>&nbsp;Pink Pigeon.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597653580_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1597653580_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> pink pigeon <em>(Nesoenas mayeri)</em></strong> is a species of pigeon, endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius.</li>
<li>It has been listed as<strong> &lsquo;vulnerable&rsquo;</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)</strong></a> Red List of Threatened Species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Liability:</strong> Under the <strong>International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution, 2001, the owners of vessels are responsible for damage caused by oil leaks.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This convention, also known as <strong>BUNKER convention,</strong> came into force in <strong>2008</strong> and is administered by the <strong>International Maritime Organization (IMO).</strong></li>
<li>The Convention was adopted to ensure that <strong>adequate, prompt, and effective compensation</strong> is available to persons who suffer <strong>damage caused by spills of oil,</strong> when carried as fuel in ships' bunkers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Blue Bay Marine Park:</strong> It is designated as a<strong> Wetland of International Importance by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-wetlands-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramsar Convention</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The presence of <strong>coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows,</strong> and<strong> macro algae</strong> make it an ecologically sensitive zone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Oil Spill</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Definition:</strong> An oil spill refers to any<strong> uncontrolled release</strong> of crude oil, gasoline, fuels, or other oil by-products into the environment. Oil spills can pollute land, air, or water, though it is mostly used for oceanic oil spills.</li>
<li><strong>Cause:</strong> They have become a major environmental problem, chiefly as a result of <strong>intensified petroleum exploration and production</strong> on continental shelves and the transport of large amounts of oils in vessels.</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Impacts</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Oil on ocean surfaces is harmful to many forms of aquatic life because it<strong> prevents sufficient amounts of sunlight</strong> from penetrating the surface, and it also reduces the<strong> level of dissolved oxygen.</strong></li>
<li>Crude oil ruins the insulating and waterproofing properties of feathers and fur of birds, and thus oil-coated birds and marine mammals may die from <strong>hypothermia</strong> (decrease in body temperature to below-normal levels).</li>
<li>Moreover,<strong> ingested</strong> oil can be toxic to affected animals, and damage their<strong> habitat and reproductive rate.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Saltwater marshes</strong> and <strong>mangroves</strong> frequently suffer from oil spills.</li>
<li>Experts say that despite best efforts, generally <strong>less than 10% of oil spilled</strong> in incidents like these is successfully <strong>cleaned up.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Impacts:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If beaches and populated shorelines are fouled, <strong>tourism</strong> and<strong> commerce</strong> may be severely affected.</li>
<li>The <strong>power plants and other utilities</strong> that depend on drawing or discharging sea water are severely affected by oil spills.</li>
<li>Major oil spills are frequently followed by the <strong>immediate suspension of commercial fishing.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cleanup of Oil Spill:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Containment Booms:</strong> Floating barriers, called booms are used to restrict the spread of oil and to allow for its recovery, removal, or dispersal.</li>
<li><strong>Skimmers:</strong> They are devices used for physically separating spilled oil from the water&rsquo;s surface.</li>
<li><strong>Sorbents:</strong> Various sorbents (e.g., straw, volcanic ash, and shavings of polyester-derived plastic) that absorb the oil from the water are used.</li>
<li><strong>Dispersing agents:&nbsp;</strong>These are chemicals that contain surfactants, or compounds that act to break liquid substances such as oil into small droplets. They accelerate its natural dispersion into the sea.</li>
<li><strong>Biological agents:</strong> Nutrients, enzymes, or microorganisms such as <strong><em>Alcanivorax</em></strong> bacteria or <em><strong>Methylocella</strong> <strong>silvestris</strong></em> that increase the rate at which natural biodegradation of oil occurs are added.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Incidents of Oil Spills:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, <strong>Russia</strong> declared a state of emergency in its <strong>Krasnoyarsk Region</strong> after a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-spill-in-siberia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>power plant fuel leaked</strong></a> causing 20,000 tonnes of diesel oil to escape into the <strong>Ambarnaya River.</strong></li>
<li>In 2010, the<strong> Deep Water Horizon incident</strong> off the <strong>Gulf of Mexico</strong> saw nearly 400,000 tonnes of oil spill, resulting in the death of thousands of species ranging from plankton to dolphins</li>
<li>In 1978, a large crude oil carrier ran aground off the coast of <strong>Brittany, France,</strong> which leaked nearly 70 million gallons of oil into the sea, killing millions of invertebrates and an estimated 20,000 birds</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/leaking-bulk-carrier-ship-in-mauritius-splits-into-two/article32369658.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6083,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Agatti Island of Lakshadweep',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the southern bench of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong> </a>(NGT) has granted an interim stay on felling of coconut trees on <strong>Agatti Island</strong> in Lakshadweep.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, a <strong>petition was moved in the NGT</strong> over <strong>indiscriminate cutting of coconut trees</strong> for a beach road.</li>
<li>The tree-felling was violating the Union Territory&rsquo;s (UT) <strong>Integrated Island Management Plan</strong> (IIMP).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IIMP was formulated on the basis of a report submitted by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a>-appointed Expert Committee, headed by <strong>Justice R.V. Raveendran,</strong> a former judge of the SC.</li>
<li>IIMP includes holistic island development plans prepared by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-sustainable-coastal-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management</strong></a> (NCSCM) for implementation by coastal States/ UTs.</li>
<li>The IIMP <strong>undertakes scientific approaches,</strong> coupled with <strong>indigenous knowledge</strong> for the better management of the islands and its resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to the large scale cutting of the coconut trees, local residents are <strong>affected by losing</strong> <strong>income</strong> from the tree produces.</li>
<li>It also poses an <strong>environmental challenge</strong> because the trees on the coastline act as a <strong>green belt</strong> to protect the rest of the island during <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cyclone-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyclones</strong></a> and other natural calamities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agatti Island</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is at a <strong>distance of 459 km</strong> (248 nautical miles) from <strong>Kochi (Kerala)</strong> and is located to the <strong>west of Kavaratti Island</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Kavaratti is the capital</strong> of the UT of Lakshadweep.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has an <strong>area of 3.84 sq km</strong> and has a north-east, south-west trend with a long tail on the south.</li>
<li>The <strong>lagoon area of this island is 17.50 sq km</strong> and there is plenty of <strong>coral growth and multicoloured coral fishes</strong> in the lagoons.</li>
<li><strong>Fishing is the most important industry</strong> of Agatti which is perhaps the only island besides Minicoy getting surplus fish. Next to fishing, <strong>coir</strong> (coconut fibre) and <strong>copra</strong> (dried meat or kernel of the coconut) are the main industries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596441787_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1596441787_image1.png" width="360" height="445" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ngt-stays-felling-of-coconut-trees-on-lakshadweep-island/article32253771.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5985,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Concerns Over Drilling in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> has issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Oil India Limited (OIL) and two concerned state entities to explain <strong>how environmental clearances for the seven proposed drilling sites in the Dibru- Saikhowa National Park were given.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NGT took note of the petitioners&rsquo; contention that OIL<strong> did not carry out a biodiversity assessment study</strong> for the seven-well exploratory drilling project besides <strong>not conducting a public hearing</strong> as mandated by the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of 2006.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>OIL</strong> has clarified that its <strong>exploratory drilling project is &ldquo;under&rdquo; and not &ldquo;in&rdquo; the 765 sq km Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.</strong> This argument is based on <strong>Extended Reach Drilling (ERD)</strong> enabled drilling of wells up to a depth of approximately 4 km from an existing well plinth <strong>without entering the protected area.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>OIL had obtained permission for the seven wells in 2016 on the basis of the <strong>ERD</strong> technology.</li>
<li>ERD is drilling a well horizontally to at least twice its vertical depth.</li>
<li>It is extensively used to intersect hydrocarbon targets far from the surface or areas of the reservoir that otherwise were difficult to access.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The notice has been issued following <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assam-gas-leak" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>a gas leak that occurred at OIL&rsquo;s baghjan oil field</strong></a>, located near the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The disaster at Baghjan has<strong> impacted the surrounding ecological life</strong> and <strong>displaced close to 11,000 people</strong> from their homes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, the NGT had also ordered the formation of a committee to probe<strong> allegations of large-scale illegal coal mining</strong> by North Eastern Coalfields inside <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dehing-patkai-wildlife-sanctuary-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve</strong></a> in Assam&rsquo;s Tinsukia district.</li>
<li><strong>Natural Resources in Assam:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The State is <strong>one of the richest biodiversity zones</strong> in the world and consists of tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, riverine grasslands, bamboo orchards and numerous wetland ecosystems.</li>
<li>Assam has wildlife sanctuaries, the most prominent of which are two <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kailash-mansarovar-in-tentative-list-of-world-heritage-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage sites</strong></a>-the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kaziranga-national-park-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kaziranga National Park</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-29th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Manas Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></a>. There are <strong>three other National Parks</strong> in Assam namely <strong>Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Nameri National Park and the Orang National Park.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Kaziranga is a home to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dna-database-for-indian-rhinos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian one-horned rhinoceros</strong></a> which has also been recognized as the <strong>State Animal of Assam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Assam has <strong>abundant mineral resources</strong>- coal, petroleum; limestone and natural gas are the principal mineral resources. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is also the <strong>largest producer of crude oil in India. </strong></li>
<li><strong>OIL</strong> is the second largest hydrocarbon exploration and production Indian public sector company with its operational headquarters in Duliajan, Assam under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dibru-Saikhowa National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dibru-Saikhowa is a <strong>National Park as well as a Biosphere Reserve</strong> situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in Assam.</li>
<li>The forest type of Dibru-Saikhowa comprises semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and swamp forests and patches of wet evergreen forests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>largest swamp forest in north-eastern India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an <strong>identified Important Bird Area (IBA),</strong> notified by the Birdlife International. It is most famous for the rare white-winged wood ducks as well as feral horses.</li>
<li>Mammals found in the Park include <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-census-2018-guinness-book-of-world-records" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiger</a></strong>, Elephant, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Bears, Small Indian Civet, Squirrels, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gangetic-dolphin-annual-census#:~:text=The%20Ganges%20river%20dolphin%20is,popularly%20known%20as%20'Susu'.&amp;text=The%20'Boto'%20of%20the%20Amazon%20River%20in%20Latin%20America." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gangetic Dolphin</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hoolock-gibbon" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hoolock Gibbon</strong></a>, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Maguri Motapung wetland</strong> is a part of the Reserve.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/ngt-seeks-explanation-on-drilling-for-oil-in-assam-national-park/article32159368.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5823,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Indian Railways to Use More Renewable Energy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Indian Railways has decided to be <strong>self-reliant for its energy needs</strong> by utilizing its vacant lands for <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Renewable Energy</strong></a> (RE) projects.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will <strong>utilize <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">solar energy</a></strong> for meeting its<strong> traction (action of drawing or pulling something over a surface) power</strong> requirements.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In January 2020, it was announced that the <strong>entire network</strong> of the Indian Railways will run on <strong>electricity by 2024</strong> and become a <strong>net-zero emission network by 2030.</strong></li>
<li>Indian Railways is adopting an <strong>innovative concept of installation of solar projects along operational railway lines.</strong> This will help in:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Preventing encroachment.</li>
<li>Enhancing the speed and safety of trains.</li>
<li>Reduction of infrastructure costs due to direct injection of solar power into the traction network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Railway Energy Management Company Limited</strong> (REMCL) is working continuously to further proliferate the use of solar energy on mega-scale.</li>
<li>With these mega initiatives, Indian Railways is leading <strong>India&rsquo;s fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/challenges-in-climate-change-negotiations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate challenge</a></strong> and is taking significant steps towards meeting its ambitious goal of being a net-zero <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-india-s-co2-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>carbon emissions</strong></a> organisation and meeting India&rsquo;s <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) targets.</strong></a></li>
<li>This would also help in making Indian Railways a <strong>complete &lsquo;Green mode&rsquo; of transportation</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar</strong></a> <strong>(energy self-sufficient transport organisation)&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Achievements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Energy procurement from various solar projects like<strong> 3 MWp solar plant</strong> set up at Modern Coach Factory (MCF) Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh).</li>
<li>About 100 MWp <strong>rooftop solar systems</strong> on various stations and buildings of Railways.</li>
<li>A <strong>project of 1.7 MWp</strong> near Bina Traction Sub Station, Bina (Madhya Pradesh) connected directly to <strong>Overhead Traction System</strong> (OTS) will be commissioned shortly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is the <strong>first of its kind project in the world</strong> authorised by Indian Railways in collaboration with <strong>Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited</strong> (BHEL).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>BHEL is one of the seven <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sectors-of-indian-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Maharatna</strong></a> companies.</li>
<li>The project was undertaken by BHEL under its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/companies-amendment-bill-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a> (CSR) scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It involves the adoption of innovative technology for<strong> converting Direct Current (DC) to single-phase Alternating Current (AC)</strong> for feeding directly to Railway&rsquo;s overhead traction system.</li>
<li>It can produce approximately 25 lakh units of energy annually and will save around Rs. 1.37 crore for Railways every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Overhead Traction System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Traction system</strong> causes the propulsion of a vehicle in which tractive or driving force is obtained from various devices such as diesel engine drives, steam engine drives, electric motors, etc.</li>
<li>When this<strong> power supply is drawn from an overhead line system,</strong> it is called an Overhead Traction System.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Railway Energy Management Company Limited</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was incorporated on <strong>16<sup>th</sup> August 2013</strong> under the <strong>Companies Act 1956</strong> as a<strong> joint venture company</strong> of Ministry of Railways.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To tap the business potential in the energy sector including green energy, power trading etc. by setting up renewable energy wind power projects, etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=209926#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Railways%20has,Net%20Zero'%20Carbon%20Emission%20Railway." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5719,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Pollinator Week',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>Pollinator Week</strong> is celebrated from <strong>22<sup>nd</sup> June to 28<sup>th</sup> June every year.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was initiated by the <strong>non-profit Pollinator Partnership</strong> and the<strong> USA&rsquo; Senate in 2007.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593158020_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593158020_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-22nd-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Food and Agriculture Organization</strong></a> (FAO), <strong>bees being the dominant pollinators,</strong> have around 25,000-30,000 species.</li>
<li><strong>More than 180,000 plant species,</strong> including 1,200 crop varieties, across the world, <strong>depend on pollinators</strong> to reproduce.</li>
<li><strong>Declining Numbers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Around <strong>40% of invertebrate pollinator species,</strong> particularly bees and butterflies, <strong>face extinction</strong> across the world.</li>
<li>In <strong>India,</strong> wild honeybees of the genus <strong><em>Apis,</em></strong> including the <strong>Asian bee</strong> and the <strong>little bee,</strong> have declined steadily for the past 30 years.</li>
<li>Around <strong>16.5% of vertebrate pollinators are threatened</strong> with extinction.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Of these, 45 species of bats, 36 species of non-flying mammals, 26 species of hummingbirds, seven species of sunbirds and 70 species of passerine birds face extinction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for the Decline:</strong> Most of them are the <strong>result of an increase in human activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Land-use change and fragmentation.</li>
<li>Changes in agricultural practices including the use of chemical <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pesticide-management-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pesticides</strong></a>, fungicides and insecticides.</li>
<li>Change in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cropping-patterns-and-major-crops-of-india-part-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cropping pattern</strong></a> and crops like the cultivation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetically-modified-seeds" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Genetically Modified Organisms</strong></a> (GMOs) and mono-cropping.</li>
<li>High environmental <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uk-to-support-nitrogen-research-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pollution from nitrogen</strong> </a>and heavy metals.</li>
<li>Growth of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invasive-plant-species-introduced-by-kerala-floods" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>invasive alien species.</strong></a></li>
<li>Higher temperatures associated with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pollination<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593157997_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1593157997_image1.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="235" height="260" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When a<strong> pollen grain</strong> moves from the <strong>anther</strong> (male part) of a flower to the <strong>stigma</strong> (female part), pollination happens and it is the <strong>first step in a process that produces seeds,</strong> fruits, and the next generation of plants.</li>
<li>This can happen through <strong>self-pollination, wind and water pollination or through pollinators.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Pollinators</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vectors that move pollen within the flower and from flower to flower</strong> are called pollinators.</li>
<li>They visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen and transport pollen grains as they move from spot to spot.</li>
<li>There are <strong>two categories</strong> of pollinators:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Invertebrate pollinators:</strong> Include bees, moths, flies, wasps, beetles and butterflies.</li>
<li><strong>Vertebrate pollinators:</strong> Include monkeys, rodents, lemurs, tree squirrels and birds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pollination contributes to one-third of the world&rsquo;s agricultural crop production and pollinators can increase crop yield by 24% in small diverse farms and its reduction can pose an immediate threat to mankind&rsquo;s food and nutrition.</li>
<li>People should leave some areas under natural habitation, promote hedgerows, flower trees and shrub plant diversity, intercropping and try to be less dependent on toxic chemicals and pesticides.</li>
<li>Governments should take proactive steps for bee conservation, recognise apiculture (bee-keeping) as a subject for advanced research and promote it among farmer communities as an additional source of livelihood, which will be a win-win situation for both the bees and humans.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/pollinator-week-why-we-need-to-protect-the-bees-and-the-butterflies-71948" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5600,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Athirapally Hydel Electric Project',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> Kerala government</strong> has approved the proposed<strong> Athirapally Hydro Electric Project</strong> (AHEP) on the <strong>Chalakudy river</strong> in <strong>Thrissur</strong> district of the state.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There are <strong>already five dams for power and one for irrigation</strong> and it will be the seventh along the 145 km course of the Chalakudy river.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Chalakudy River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It <strong>originates in the Anamalai region of Tamil Nadu</strong> and is joined by its major tributaries Parambikulam, Kuriyarkutti, Sholayar, Karapara and Anakayam in Kerala.</li>
<li>The river <strong>flows through Palakkad, Thrissur and Ernakulam</strong> districts of Kerala.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> 4<sup>th</sup> longest river in Kerala</strong> and one of very few rivers of Kerala, which is having <strong>relics of riparian vegetation</strong> in substantial level.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <strong>riparian zone</strong> is the interface between land and a river or stream. Plant habitats and communities along the river margins and banks are called<strong> riparian vegetation,</strong> characterized by hydrophilic plants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>richest river in fish</strong> diversity perhaps in India as it contains 85 species of freshwater fishes out of the 152 species known from Kerala only.</li>
<li>The famous waterfalls,<strong> Athirappilly Falls and Vazhachal Falls,</strong> are situated on this river.</li>
<li>It <strong>merges with the Periyar River near Puthenvelikkara</strong> in Ernakulam district.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The total installed capacity of AHEP is <strong>163 MW</strong> and the project is supposed to make use of the tail end water coming out of the existing<strong> Poringalkuthu Hydro Electric Project</strong> that is constructed across the Chalakudy river.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AHEP envisages diverting water from the Poringalkuthu project as well as from its <strong>own catchment of 26 sq km.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Kerala state government has given a <strong>no-objection certificate</strong> (NOC) to the<strong> Kerala State Electricity Board</strong> (KSEB) for a period of <strong>seven years</strong> and has permitted it to proceed with the project&rsquo;s implementation.</li>
<li>KSEB officials are confident that they can manage approval from the<strong> Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> as it was<strong> approved in 2012 by an Expert Appraisal Committee</strong> (EAC) for river valley and hydro-electric projects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EACs are constituted for giving environmental clearance under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Impact Assessment</strong></a> (EIA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opposition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government&rsquo;s move to revive the already controversial power project has gained <strong>opposition from various political leaders and environmentalists.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>KSEB <strong>first mooted the project in 1996</strong> but it had been <strong>suspended</strong> due to strong opposition by the local community backed by environmentalists and politicians with green concerns.</li>
<li>A report by the <strong>Kerala State Biodiversity Board</strong> pointed out in <strong>1997</strong> that the power project would <strong>adversely affect the ecology</strong> of the fragile river ecosystem at Athirappilly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is feared that it will cause people to <strong>organise a protest on the lines of Silent Valley</strong> in the coming days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Silent Valley</strong> was an <strong>ecological movement</strong> with huge mass participation that forced the Kerala government to <strong>abandon dam construction across the Kunthri River in Palakkad</strong> district during the <strong>late 1970s and early 1980s.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Athirappally is home to some<strong> rarest species of birds, animals and plant species</strong> which will be impacted.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Apart from being home to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakke-tiger-reserve" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> hornbills</strong></a>, tigers and leopards, the forests also host the Nilgiri langur, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/someshwara-wildlife-sanctuary#:~:text=Lion%2Dtailed%20Macaque,of%20primary%20tropical%20evergreen%20rainforest." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> lion-tailed macaque</strong> </a>and the rare Cochin forest cane turtle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fish varieties</strong> in the Chalakudy river would be impacted.</li>
<li>Around 168 hectares of <strong>biodiversity-rich forests in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ecologically-sensitive-areas-in-western-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Western Ghats</a></strong> would be submerged.</li>
<li><strong>Kadar tribal settlements</strong> in the forests will be dismantled and displaced. The move seems to be violative of the forest rights granted to the Kadars under the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/forest-rights-act-2006" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Forest Rights Act, 2006</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It would sever the only link between the <strong>Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, Thrissur and the Idamalayar basin of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mullaperiyar-dam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Periyar river</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The vital <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/koundinya-wildlife-sanctuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>elephant corridor</strong></a><strong> between the Parambikulam Sanctuary</strong> (also a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-19th-november-2018#:~:text=Parambikulam%20Tiger%20Reserve&amp;text=Buddha%20Peacock%20or%20Buddha%20Mayoori,of%20the%20Southern%20Western%20Ghats." target="_blank" rel="noopener">tiger reserve</a>) and the Pooyamkutty forests</strong> would also be affected.</li>
<li>On the<strong> tourism front,</strong> the project would <strong>wipe out the majestic Athirappally and Vazhachal waterfalls,</strong> which draw 0.6 million domestic and foreign tourists every year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/kerala-government-gives-go-ahead-to-athirappally-hydel-power-project-71683#:~:text=The%20government%20gave%20the%20go,expired%2C%20according%20to%20official%20sources.&amp;text=The%20government's%20decision%20elicited%20a%20storm%20of%20protests%20from%20various%20quarters." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5581,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Assam Gas Leak',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a gas leak has occurred at<strong> Baghjan well</strong> in Tinsukia district of Assam following a blowout.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Baghjan well is a purely gas-producing well in <strong>Tinsukia district,</strong> and is at an aerial distance of 900 metres from the <strong>Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.</strong></li>
<li>It has been drilled by <strong>Oil India Limited (OIL)</strong> since 2006.</li>
<li>Natural gas is a mix of propane, methane, propylene and other gases.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gas Leak:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The gas well at Baghjan <strong>was under maintenance,</strong> for which it was temporarily shut. The Blowout Preventer (BOP) was also removed.</li>
<li>However, the gas started to ooze out of the well during the maintenance.The reason behind the blowout (a sudden/uncontrolled release of gas/oil) is not clear.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Possible Reasons:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It may have occurred<strong> due to lack of attention, poor workmanship, bad maintenance, old age, sabotage to morpho-tectonic factors.</strong></li>
<li>Sometimes, the <strong>disturbance of pressure balance in a well may also lead to sudden blowouts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong> The authorities have built a temporary water reservoir through pipelines from the<strong> Dangori river</strong> nearby the well to control the blowout.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To control a blowout, a huge quantity of water is required so that the gas does not catch fire.</li>
<li>The<strong> control of a blowout depends on two things:</strong> the<strong> size of the reservoir</strong> and the <strong>pressure at which the gas is flowing out.</strong> Many blowouts also automatically collapse on their own.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong> The gas leak at the Baghjan is still not under control and it is continuously leaking.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The limited space and non-availability of open space above the well head poses a huge challenge in placement of BOP.</li>
<li>The BOP placement involves a huge risk since Baghjan is a gas well and runs the risk of catching fire at any point.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>gas is flowing with the wind</strong> in the radius of up to 5 km and <strong>condensate (the residue from gas) is falling</strong> on bamboo, tea gardens, banana trees, betel nut trees among others.</li>
<li>While the well is outside the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eco Sensitive Zone</strong></a> of the park, there are reports that the condensate is falling into <strong>Dibru-Saikhowa National Park</strong> and <strong>Maguri-Motapung wetland</strong> too.</li>
<li>The gas leak has also caused deaths of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gangetic-dolphin-annual-census" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gangetic dolphins</strong></a>, and a variety of fish. The number of birds have also decreased because they have flown away.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Assessment of the Impact:</strong> To safeguard the environment, OIL has engaged a <strong>National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET)</strong> accredited consultant to carry out an <strong>Environment Impact Assessment study</strong> to assess the effects of blowout on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to work on a <strong>Socio-Economic Impact Assessment.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NABET is a constituent Board of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jodhpur-tops-railway-cleanliness-survey-conducted-by-the-quality-council-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quality Council of India</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It offers accreditation to <strong>educational organisations, vocational training organizations </strong>and<strong> skill certification bodies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dibru-Saikhowa National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dibru-Saikhowa is a <strong>National Park</strong> as well as a <strong>Biosphere Reserve</strong> situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in Assam.</li>
<li>It is one of the <strong>19 biodiversity hotspots in the world.</strong></li>
<li>The forest type of Dibru-Saikhowa comprises <strong>semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and swamp forests</strong> and <strong>patches of wet evergreen forests.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the largest swamp forest in north-eastern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an identified <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/animals-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Important Bird Area (IBA)</strong> </a>notified by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delhi-butterfly-corridors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bombay Natural History Society</strong></a>. It is most famous for the rare <strong>white-winged wood ducks</strong> as well as<strong> feral horses.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Maguri-Motapung Wetland</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Maguri Motapung Beel is less than 10 km from Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.</li>
<li>The wetland derives its name from &ldquo;Magur&rdquo;, the local word for the catfish &lsquo;Clarius batrachus&rsquo;.</li>
<li>It is an <strong>Important Bird Area</strong> notified by the Bombay Natural History Society.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/assam-gas-leak-why-its-tough-to-plug-and-what-threat-it-poses-to-area-6447810/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20Guwahati%2Dbased,catching%20fire%20at%20any%20point%E2%80%9D." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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